Eli5: how are humans, who are two legged, able to out endure creatures that are four legged?
In: 1455
Others have it, but not a good ELI5.
Most four legged mammals’ breathing is connected to their stride. One step, one breath. These mammals also can’t sweat, they have to pant in order to cool down. So they have to stop running in order to cool down.
This is compounded by the fact that four legged creatures have their entire back exposed to the sun. A two legged posture, by contrast, offers much less surface area to the sun overhead.
So basically, sweating. Being able to sweat is the human super power.
Source: Born To Run (great book!)
Others have it, but not a good ELI5.
Most four legged mammals’ breathing is connected to their stride. One step, one breath. These mammals also can’t sweat, they have to pant in order to cool down. So they have to stop running in order to cool down.
This is compounded by the fact that four legged creatures have their entire back exposed to the sun. A two legged posture, by contrast, offers much less surface area to the sun overhead.
So basically, sweating. Being able to sweat is the human super power.
Source: Born To Run (great book!)
The benifits of being self aware should also be taken into account, along side all the physical elements.
We know why we are chasing / hunting some animal, we are aware of the desired outcome and we can through determ8nation and grit “override” our bodies need to not run long distances.
In essence we choose to do run whilst animals are doing it out of instinct or need.
The benifits of being self aware should also be taken into account, along side all the physical elements.
We know why we are chasing / hunting some animal, we are aware of the desired outcome and we can through determ8nation and grit “override” our bodies need to not run long distances.
In essence we choose to do run whilst animals are doing it out of instinct or need.
This topic comes up so often on reddit I can’t imagine this question wasn’t asked while knowing exactly the answer
This topic comes up so often on reddit I can’t imagine this question wasn’t asked while knowing exactly the answer
I saw a video a while back that basically said that each step for a human is just a controlled fall, which uses less energy than quadrupeds who have to use their limbs in unison to stay upright.
I saw a video a while back that basically said that each step for a human is just a controlled fall, which uses less energy than quadrupeds who have to use their limbs in unison to stay upright.
We can sweat and cool off so we don’t overheat.
Imagine a race between all sorts of cars. Remove the oil from all of them except one. That car will last longer than every other car.
We can sweat and cool off so we don’t overheat.
Imagine a race between all sorts of cars. Remove the oil from all of them except one. That car will last longer than every other car.
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